March 12, 2014

Transition: Pediatric to Adult Health

Ideally, children should transition to adult-oriented health care between the ages of 18 and 21 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics published a consensus report on health care transition in collaboration with the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The report states, “The goal of a planned health care transition is to maximize lifelong functioning and well-being for all youth, including those who have special health care needs and those who do not.” The transition planning process begins around age 12-14. As awareness about this important topic increases, more and more primary care offices are developing ways to implement transition to adult care for their pediatric patients. Various tools are available to initiate the discussion and facilitate the transition process.

Got Transition?

Got Transition is part of the Center for Health Care Transition Improvement. Got Transition aims to advance access to effective transition support from pediatric to adult health care for all youth, including those with special needs. The organization is supported by a cooperative agreement between the US Maternal and Child Bureau/HRSA and the The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health.

Address: Got Transition? | Center for Health Care Transition Improvement
c/o The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health
750 17th Street, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC  20006

Phone:  (202) 223-1500
Email:  info@gottransition.org
Website:  www.GotTransition.org


Specific transition support:

Many organizations offer guidance and tools for transitioning from pediatric to adult care in terms of a specific disease or health need.

Epilepsy

American Epilepsy Society:
http://www.aesnhttps://www.aesnet.org/clinical_resources/practice_tools/transition_tools_adolescentset.org/practice/practice-tools/transition-from-pediatric-to-adult-care-tool

Young Epilepsy: A UK based organization with a mission to create better futures for young lives with epilepsy and associated conditions.
http://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/for-young-people

Diabetes

National Diabetes Education Program:
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/communication-programs/ndep/health-professionals/practice-transformation-physicians-health-care-teams/diabetes-patient-safety/provider-setting-specific-risks/medical-office

Autism

Autism Speaks:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/transition-tool-kit

Sickle Cell Disease

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Their STEP program consists of videos designed as educational modules with interactive pre and post quizzes.
Sickle Cell Transition E-Learning Program (STEP)

Sickle Cell Disease Transition Curriculum (SCDTC):  A reference for healthcare practitioners, patients, and parents to provide useful, practical, and meaningful guidelines.
http://www.floridahats.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Sickle-Cell-Transition-Curriculum-Final.pdf

Cystic Fibrosis

Nationwide Children’s Hospital: CF Transition Checklists can be downloaded from their site.
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/cystic-fibrosis/services-we-offer/transition-program

Congenital Heart Disease

iHeartChange.org: A website for young people with congenital heart disease. Create a free account start filling up your hearts!
https://iheartchange.org

Adult Congenital Heart Association: Includes education materials, clinic directories, and much more.
http://www.achaheart.org

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Website: Living with a congenital heart defect
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/living.html

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition: A PDF document about transition.
“Transitioning a Patient with IBD from Pediatric to Adult Care”

Survivors of Cancer

National Cancer Institute: Provides general information regarding late effects of treatment for childhood cancer.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/lateeffects/Patient

National Children’s Cancer Society: Beyond the Cure survivorship program.
https://www.thenccs.org/survivorship/

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